Foods that can make or break your flight

Salty snacks are tasty, but they dehydrate you and can lead to bloating.Source:istock

WHETHER you’re flying first class or economy, there’s always one factor to level the classes — food! Not how it’s served, because we all know airline food up the front on the plane is top notch. We’re talking how it affects your body, 8000 feet in the air. Here’s Skyscanner Australia list of things to avoid eating pre-flight.

When you are crammed in a small space on a long-haul flight, the last thing you want is to feel bloated and uncomfortable. Given the minimal physical activity and cabin pressure situation, there are foods that, while ordinarily good for you, don’t fly too well.

WHAT TO AVOID

Vegetables like broccoli can make you gassy and bloated.Source:Flickr

Cruciferous vegetables

Always eat your greens, unless you’re in a plane and those greens are broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, artichokes and beans. These vegetables tend to be high in carbohydrates (oligosaccharides) that cannot be broken down in the small intestines and becomes a source of discomfort once they hit the large intestines. While chock full of vitamins and great for your every day diet, it will lead to bloating and possibly even cramps when you’re immobilised in a pressurised environment. This goes for whether they’re consumed in-flight or pre-flight.

Salty snacks

As tempting as a packet of chips may be, try to avoid snacks that are high in salt. Our tastebuds get slightly numb at high altitudes and as a result airlines tend to heavily season their sumptuous, foil packaged meals to make them more appealing to flyers. However, all of this just encourages one thing — water retention. From there, it’s just a hop, skip and jump away from a bloat baby.

Caffeine

Coffee or tea? As the flight attendant comes round with the beverage cart and your destination is ages away, it’s hard to resist the lure of caffeine. You should still make a solid effort to though, because coffee is dehydrating, a diuretic and messes with your sleep cycle. This means repeated trips to the toilet and you feel sluggish upon arrival … no one wins! Also, a fresh brew tastes different when you’re airborne as reduced cabin pressure means that water boils at 90 degrees instead of 100 degrees.

Caffeine is another no-no as it is dehydrating and messes with your sleep.Source:istock

Carbonated beverages

Sweetened fizzy drinks are a recipe for digestive disaster when on a plane. We’re talking gas giant in your gastrointestinal tract and a bloated stomach. Not the most comfortable or attractive feeling in the world. Most fizzy drinks are also high in sugar which will also likely throw off your sleep patterns. So if you have a craving for the bubbly that you just can’t shake, go with carbonated water ... or champers?

Alcohol

What?! Are mini booze bottles and beers off limits? Surely not. In fact, a study done by Cornell University found that aircraft noise suppresses our sweet tastebuds and we become more appreciative of umami — a sweet, savoury taste in foods like tomato juice. Maybe that’s why they say the best in-flight tipple is a Bloody Mary! But it’s also worth remembering that alcohol causes you to dehydrate, amplifying the pre-existing effects of dehydration in the plane cabin. So have a glass of wine (or two) to wind down, but make sure to drink at least double the amount in water.

WHAT TO EAT

Lime juice can relieve a sore throat, while watermelons are very hydrating.Source:Supplied

Lime water

Adding a slice of lime to your glass is an excellent way to refresh — and the antibacterial properties of citrus can help to relieve a sore throat.

Protein-rich food

Pack foods that are high in protein — DIY your own trail mix with dried fruit and nuts, bring crackers slathered with peanut butter or for something more substantial, a cold chicken sandwich. Protein-rich meals will keep you full longer so you won’t be tempted to nibble on salty snacks for the entire flight.

Fruits

Fruit are a great source of vitamin C to boost your immune system and keep you hydrated. Oranges and watermelons are easily found in your airline prepared meals as well as around the airport. Watermelons in particular are rich in antioxidants and full of water — a double whammy in nutrition! Three to four slices is the ideal to keep your hydration levels up during a flight. Any more than that though, may leave you on a sugar high.

Now that you have your pre-flight diet sorted, find the best deals for flights, hotels and car hire with Skyscanner Australia.

This article originally appeared on skyscanner.com.au and was republished with permission.